Manitoba

Blue Bombers extend contracts for running back Brady Oliveira, defensive back Nick Taylor

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have signed a one-year extension with American defensive back Nick Taylor and a contract for two more seasons with Canadian running back Brady Oliveira.

Oliveira, a Winnipeg native, returns to team after signing 2-year contract extension

Bombers running back Brady Oliveira, seen here in an Aug. 13, 2021 file photo, has signed a two-year contract extension with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, the CFL team announced Monday. (John Woods/The Canadian Press)

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers agreed to contract extensions with American defensive back Nick Taylor and Canadian running back Brady Oliveira on Monday.

Taylor's deal is for one year while Oliveira's extension covers two seasons. Both were scheduled to become free agents Tuesday.

The five-foot-10, 227-pound Oliveira, a Winnipeg native, returns to the Bombers for a third season. He started six of the 13 games he appeared in last year, rushing for 429 yards and two TDs as the club captured a second straight Grey Cup title.

Oliveira is a product of Winnipeg's Oak Park High School. He was a star at University of North Dakota, rushing for 2,822 yards and 22 touchdowns over his four seasons at the school.

He earned All Big-Sky Honours in 2016 and 2017 and was a Jon Cornish Award finalist for the most outstanding Canadian player in collegiate football in 2018, his senior year.

The five-foot-nine, 188-pound Taylor started 12 regular-season games last season, registering 31 tackles and a tackle for a loss.

Taylor is entering his third season with Winnipeg. He previously played Ottawa (2016-17) and Edmonton (2018-19) before being released by the Elks and subsequently joining the Bombers during the 2019 campaign.

With files from CBC